Skirt-measurer.



No. 791,280. v PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

A. T. MQCAMPBELL.

SKIRT MEASURER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.10, 1904.

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No. 791.280. PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

A. T. MOCAMPBELL.

SKIRT MEASURER.

APPLICATION FILED 10150.10. 1904.

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Patented May 30, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

ADDISON T. MCOAMPBELL, OF FINDLAY, OHIO.

SKIRT-MEASURER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,280, dated May 30, 1905.

Application filed December O, 1904. Serial No. 236,260.

To ,ft/,Z 11171/0121/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADDISON T. MCOAMP- BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing' at Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skii't-b/Ieasurers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description oi' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in skirt-marking g'uides or devices for `use in marking dress or apparel skirts preparatory to altering' the same.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and eiiective device for use in marking skirts preparatory to shortening, whereby the skirt when located on the wearer can be easily and accurately marked completely around, so that the operative in altering theA skirt can follow the mark, and thus accurately alter the skirt to hang at the back as well as at the front at the length desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in arrangements and in construction of parts whereby a'highlyeiiicient device for use in marking' ladies skirts will be produced.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations or arrangements of parts, as more fully set :t'orth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying' drawings, which show ine-rely for purposes of explanation constructions as examples Vfrom among' other constructions within the spirit and scope of my invention, Fig'ure 1 is a perspective view of a form of my invention, a skirt being shown as though on a wearer standing' within the device, dotted lines also indicating the means employed and method which can be followed in marking the skirt, the skirt being partially broken away. Fig'. 2 is a detail perspective view of the hase and drum shown in Fig'. 1. Fig. is an elevation, partially in section, o l a base and drum, the drum being' shown provided with spaced guide-grooves. Fig. it

is an elevation ot' a modified construction of marking-guide, a movable guide being shown resting on the row ot' pointed projections. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of the heel-centering device arranged on the floor of the drum or base. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail perspective views of diderent forms of movable marking-gages. Fig. 8 is a plan view of an adjustable ruling device, a portion of a skirt being indicated iiattened out on a counter.

2 is a base, platform, orV pedestal adapted to rest on the ioor and at its top 'forming a surface on which the person to be iitted stands wearing' the skirt to be marked for altering. This base can be 'formed ot' any suitable heightMsay about live inches, more or less.

3 is the fixed hollow vertical drum or form, rising' from and usually rigid with the base and open at the top. This form preferably tapers upwardly and can be of any suitable shape and dimensions, although I generally make the same about eig'ht inches high, more or less, and about twenty-two inches in diameter at the lower end, and, say, about eighteen inches in diameter at the upper end. This drum is usually of greater diameter from front to rear than from side to side in order to accommodate the fullness at the back and to approximately conform to the skirt and form a backing completely around within the same.

The base is shown provided with an exterior horizontal annular ledge, flange, or rim 4r, from which the drum rises and which is arranged around the same at the exterior of the lower end of the drum and with its horizontal top surface in approximately the same horizontal plane as the surface at the bottom of the drum on which theperson stands while the skirt she wears is being'marked.

It' desired, the drum or form at its exterior surface can be provided with one or more or a vertical series of spaced horizontal markingguides, such as grooves 5, extending completely around the same. (See Figs. 3 and e.)

' 6/ is a heel-stop or centering device, shown as a flat block resting' on the floor ot' the base and at its 'front end notched or recessed at 6 to receive the heels ot' customer wearing' the skirt. The centering device or stop is rendered adjustable toward the front or rear by the longitudinal slots 7, through which screws or bolts 8 extend into the ioor of the base. These clamping devices 8 normally lock the stop in position, but on being loosened prevent adjustment thereof to hold the heels of the customer or model midway between the sides of the drum and slightly in front of the center line between the front and rear of the drum. This stop holds the heels in proper place and prevents the customer shifting her position during the marking operation, as it is necessary that the customer stand in the correct position during the marking operation. In using the device thus described the person wearing the skirt to be altered stands on the base and within the drun or form,with the skirt hanging outside of the form, the latter to a certain extent conforming to the skirt and holding the same' properly distended. The operative knowing how much or the distance or length the skirt is to be shortened can in some special instances use the fixed horizontal guides 5 in marking. When this method is followed, the operator locates the particular guide 5 which is at the distance above Athe ledge or rim 4 it is desired the altered skirt shall hang above the floor. The operative with a piece of chalk or with other suitable marking means marks the skirt completely around, following said guide. The operative presses the skirt against the surface of the form, which constitutes a backing during the marking operation. After the skirt has been thus marked it is sent into the operating-room, and the altering operation can be easily and accurately completed by simply following the mark completely around the skirt, so that if the mark is properly followed the altered skirt will hang and set all around the desired distance from the floor. However, I prefer to use a separate movable marking guide or gage in connection with the form. This guide can consist of any suitable separate block or strip 9, usually oblong in shape and of any suitable length and thickness. The block is placed against the outer surface of the skirt and above the support or rim 4, and the vertical iiat face of the block presses the skirt in against the surface of the form, while the block is supported by and its lower edge rests on the rim 4. The block is then moved around the rim 4, sliding along the outer surface of the skirt, and the skirt can be marked at the desired horizontal plane by a piece of chalk or other suitable means at the top edge of the block. Where the block is employed, the skirt can be marked by chalkmarks at intervals or dots made by the chalk to hasten the marking operation. When the skirt is removed, it can be iiattened out on a table or counter and the mark can be made more distinct by a chalk-line connecting the dots, a marking-guide of considerable length,

such as a long ruler, being employed, as hereinafter described.

The distance of the mark above the rim 4 is determined by the height or vertical width of the marking guide or block 9 employedthat is, a number of the separate movable marking-guides 9 of different vertical widths can be kept on hand for use, where skirts are to be altered to different lengths. If a skirt is to be altered to hang one inchfrom the ground or iioor, a movable marking-guide one inch wide will be used, andso on.

If desired, the movable separate markingguide can be formed with an opening through which the chalk can be projected to engage the cloth and in which the chalk can be conveniently held; also, if desired, the movable marking-guide can be formed with a vertical series of spaced openings for the chalk, so

that the one guide can be employed for marking at different horizontal planes.

In Figs. 1 and 6 I show a separate movable marking-guide 10, oblong in shape and formed with a vertical series of elongated spaced horizontal usually curved openings 11,through which the chalk can extend into engagement with the skirt and by which the chalk can be guided in marking the skirt. In this arrangement the chalk can extend through a guideopening 11 and make a mark on the skirt in the desired horizontal plane, and the movable marking-guide can be then moved along the skirt the desired distance and another markl can be made in the same horizontal plane as the first mark, and the operation can be continued until the skirt is marked completely around; also, instead of employing a flange as the support for the movable marker I can employ a horizontal annular row of projecting sharp points 12, as shown in Fig. 4, rigid with and projecting radially from the base of the device. The skirt can be pressed onto these points, so that the points project outwardly through the skirt, and the skirt is thereby positively held in the proper position for and during the marking operation, and the movable marking-guide can rest on and be upheld by the row of points as where the flange 4 is employed.

If desired, the guides 5 can cooperate with the exterior movable marking-guide and with the chalk in marking the skirt along the desired horizontal line.

After the skirt has been dotted around, as hereinbefore described, so that the marking operation will require the shortest possible length of time, the customer removes the skirt, and a device-such, for instance, as shown in Fig. S-can be used in connecting the dots by an unbroken line while the skirt is iattened out on a table or counter.

Referring to Fig. 8, 13 is an elongated rigid fiat bar approximately concaved or recessed along one longitudinal edge, and 14 is a flexi- IOO ble ruling or guide strip, usually formed of thin spring sheet metal and arranged along said recessed edge and at its ends confined to the ends of the bar. 1:3 is a sliding pusl piece passing loosely and transversely through the bar and abutting against the central portion of the ruling' edge or strip la, so that said strip can be pressed or bowed outwardly, as shown in Fig. 8, to the desired extent or curvature and to act as a ruler or guide for the chalk in connecting the dots into an unbroken or heavy line which can be conveniently followed by the seamstress in altering the skirt.

It is evident that various changes and modiiications might be resorted to in the forms, constructions, and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the specific constructions shown, but consider myself entitled to all such variations and equivalents within the scope and spirit of my invention as defined by the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I Claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering comprising a base on which the wearer of the skirt stands, a fixed annular hollow form open at the upper end and rising' from the base and adapted to fit within and generally conform to the skirt, the form constituting a continuous backing for the skirt during the marking operation, and a fixed annular rim around the base to guide the marking device and determine the horizontal plane of the mark on and completely around the skirt.

2. A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering, comprising a base on which the skirt wearer stands during the marking operation, an annular or continuous hollow form rising 'from the base and open at the upper end and within which the wearer stands with the skirt hanging outside of the same, an exterior annular or continuous support arranged around the base at the lower cnd of the form and separate marker-guiding means movable completely around the skirt and supported in a fixed horizontal plane by said annular support, substantially as and for the purposes substantially as described.

3. A device 'for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering' comprising, in combination, a vertical hollow form open at the upper end and within which the wearer of the skirt stands with the skirt hanging-at the outer surface of the form, a radially-projccting annu- P lar exterior support at the lower portion of the form, and movable guiding means determiningthe horizontal plane of the mark to be made on and around the surface of the skirt, said means supported in a certain horizontal plane by said annular support, substantially as described.

4. A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering comprising', in combination, a fixed continuous vertical hollow form within which the wearer of the skirt stands with the skirt hanging outside of the form, said form constituting a continuous backing for the chalk during the marking operation, a separate movable marking-guide applied to and movable completely around the exterior surface of the skirt and an annular horizontal support for said guide, substantially as described.

A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering, comprising, in combination, a fixed form extending up within the skirt while on the wearer and having a base or support llixed with respect to the form, an exterior annular rim, and a separate movable marking-guide movable around the outer surface of the skirt and determining the horizontal plane of the mark on and around the skirt and guided by said rim, substantially as described.

6. A portable device for use in marking' skirts preparatory to altering, comprising a base having an elevated floor or platform on which the wearer of the skirt stands, a heel stop or centering device arranged on said platform, a fixed exterior continuous ledge, and a continuous or annular form rising' from said base and open at the upper end and adapted to extend within the skirt and constitute a continuous backing completely around within the skirt, substantially as described.

7. A device for the purpose, substantially as described, comprising a base having a platform, recessed heel-stops arranged on the platform, a fixed continuous backing-form rising from said platform, and a movable markingguide movable completely around a skirt backed by said form.

8. A device for the purpose substantially as described, comprising a base having a platform and an annular exterior lixed support, the upper surface of which is arranged approximately in the plane of said platform, and an upwardly-projecting annular form, substantially as described.

9. A device for the purpose described comprising a base, a fixed marking-g'uide, and heel-stops arranged on the base and comprising a single adjustable block recessed to receive both heels of the skirt-wearer standing on the base and thereby center the wearer with respect to said fixed guide.

10. A portable device for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering, comprising in combination, a base having a platform on which the wearer of the skirt is adapted to stand and an exterior horizontal annular support, and a fixed annular form open at the top and rising from said platform, said form adapt- IOC IIO

ed to lit Within the skirt and form a backing In testimony Whereoflalix my signature in therefor Ctnd completely aound Within tile presence of two witnesses. same, sai support arrange exterior y of t ie 1 v lower end of said form to constitute :t hori- ADDlbON T MCCAMPB-ELL' 5 zontal support or guide for a movable chalk Witnesses:

or marker guiding device, substantially as G. T. FENSTERMAKER, described. O. H. SAUNDERS. 

